COVID-19 as a Stressor: Pandemic Expectations, Perceived Stress, and Negative Affect in Older Adults

Brenda R Whitehead and Shevaun Neupert

The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 2021, vol. 76, issue 2, e59-e64

Abstract: ObjectivesThe extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic is appraised as a stressor influences perceived stress (PS) and psychological well-being during the event. Here, the association of older adults’ expectations concerning the pandemic’s duration and impact with PS and negative affect (NA) is investigated. Based on the stress and coping framework, PS is expected to mediate the association between COVID-19 expectations and NA.MethodsSeven hundred fourteen residents of the United States and aged 60 and older completed an anonymous online survey in late March 2020 reporting PS, NA, and expectations regarding the pandemic.ResultsRegression analyses controlling for demographic factors revealed that more dire pandemic expectations significantly predicted PS and NA directly, and the effects on NA were significantly mediated by PS.DiscussionFindings provide evidence that expectations about a pandemic influence the extent to which older adults experience stress and NA in the midst of a pandemic event. Implications for mental health are discussed.

Keywords: Appraisal; Mediation; Well-being (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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